Rent costs go up, but region still very affordable

THE cost of paying rent in this region has gone up by an average of 7.2 percent over the last year – but Dumfries and Galloway still remains one of the cheapest places to live in Scotland.

Private renters paid an average of £499 per month in the 12 months to December, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics.

This is an increase of £33 on the average rent costs in 2023.

Despite the 7.2 percent climb, the fees for renting a property here are much lower than many other parts of the country.

In Lothian the average monthly rental price is almost three times higher at £1400, while in Greater Glasgow bills for rent are around £1199 per month.

Meanwhile, the Ayrshire regions (£612) and West Dunbartonshire (£874), with comparable levels of poverty, are still a bit more expensive for renters to live.

For Scotland as a whole, the average rent was £991 a month (up by 6.9 percent or £64).